Sketchup: Construction Sequence Animation Tutorial

1) To begin, here is a quick example of how, by utilising simple techniques, it is possible to create detailed, professionally presentable construction sequences very quickly and accurately.

2) Fundamentally, the sequence is created using the section tool while within a group, and then adding scenes to create the flow between the various section within their respective groups.

3) To start, it is necessary that all objects which you want to be sequenced within your model are grouped, as shown.

4) To create the floor slab animation, I first hide the upright elements so that they do not interfere (right click - hide). Then, Double click the floor slab to edit the "group" (or right click - edit group)

5) Next, select the "Section" tool, and create the first section of the floor slab group, as shown. The orange colour indicates that the cut is "active". Move the Section to desired location. The first "scene" should be blank, so the whole slab should be cut

7) Now, edit the group again, and add another section plane, but on the opposite end of the floor slab. Note, the new section is orange, meaning the section cut is active, and the existing section has went black, stating that it is inactive. Add a new scene.

8) Next, click between scene 1 and scene 2, and you should see the "construction" of the floor slab, as the scenes transist between the two active cuts, giving the smooth animation seen here.

9) Now it is necessary to get the uprights back into view so that the process may be repeated. Select "View - Hidden Geometry", select the group of columns, "Right Click - Unhide", as shown.

10) As Before, double click the group to edit, and add the first section plane to the base of the columns, as shown. The plane should be highlighted orange to indicate that it is actively cutting through the geometry.

11) As this is the starting point for the next transition, I would recommend not adding another scene, but merely updating the previous scene, as shown.

12) Again, you should edit the group and add the second section at the top of the columns, ensuring that the new section is active, and the existing section is now inactive. Add a new scene at this point.

13) Again, you should edit the group and add the second section at the top of the columns, ensuring that the new section is active, and the existing section is now inactive. Add a new scene at this point.

14) Here I see a problem in scene two, where the columns appear and then disappear, in the reverse order of what is desired in scene 3. This sometimes happens, but the fix is very easy.

15) As the columns are not meant to be "constructed" until scene 3, I simply select the group while in scene 2, right click and hide. Then I update scene 2, so that sketchup remembers that the columns are to remain hidden until scene 3.

16) Now the scenes play through the "construction" of the various building elements in the correct order. The method remains the same regardless of the complexity or number of transitions required of your construction sequence.